Outdoor Fire Safety Tips For Children

***This content is provided for educational purposes only. Outdoor activities and fire use involve risks, and conditions vary. The Navigating Mom is not responsible for injuries, accidents, or damages. Parents and guardians are responsible for supervising children and following all local laws and fire regulations.***

***The Navigating Mom (and this post) may contain affiliate links. If you purchase from one of these links, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.****

Picture this: You have just spent the day hiking through one of the country’s stunning national parks. Your feet are a little sore, the little ones might be complaining that they are tired. You are back at your campsite, and gearing up to start a fire, maybe make some s’mores, and maybe tell some campfire stories as a family.

Camping would not be the same without the end of the night fire, but it does raise some safety concerns if not done properly. This is why it’s important to know what to do when prepping the fire, starting the fire, and putting it out. That’s why we have created this guide with important outdoor fire safety tips for children, to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone!

Why Fire Safety Is Important

Fire Safety is important to protect both yourself and the environment you are exploring. The most important priority when exploring the outdoors is always your safety and the safety of your family.

Not following guidelines for fire safety can lead to minor or major injury and burns that can be avoided. Things like getting too close to the fire, playing and running around the fire, or trying to pull something out of the fire can lead to burns. Teaching kids about these safety topics can help avoid these injuries and ensure this camping tradition can continue on

Following outdoor fire safety tips is also important to protect the environment. The majority of wildfires in the US and around the world are caused by people-either accidentally (through lack of knowledge or negligence) or intentionally (arson).

Wildfires can destroy forests that have been growing for 100+ years (with some forests having trees as old as 5,000 years!) and it can take them hundreds of years to recover from it. Wildfires can destroy trees, but can also harm or kill wildlife living in the area.

Outdoor Fire Safety Tips for Children

Preparing For the Fire

When preparing for a fire, you will want to first make sure that fires are permitted in the area. Most destinations, including backcountry camping locations in national and state parks, have guidelines about where fires should and shouldn’t be started. Know these guidelines and follow them.

Most campgrounds and national parks will also provide information on current weather conditions and fire risks. Also be aware of the fire danger level for the day and any burn bans, and act accordingly.

Once you have determined that fires are permitted where you are, you will want to start it either in an existing fire pit, or dig your own at least 15 ft. away from anything that might catch fire (trees, shrubs, tents, etc.)

When setting up the area for your fire, you will want to make sure you have a shovel and bucket of water nearby. This will make it easy to quickly put a fire out if it starts to get out of control. Once you have your fire pit, you will want to circle it with either a metal fire ring or rocks.

It is also important to recognize that fire behavior is different outside than it is indoors. Environmental factors like wind, dry leaves, grass, and trees can cause a small fire to accelerate quickly and lead to bigger forest fires. Keep these things in mind when choosing where to start your fire.

Starting the Fire

Once you have the space prepped, you will want to start the fire. This can be tricky at first, but once you get the hang of it, it becomes easier. The first time my daughter and I went camping, it took us a an hour or so to really get the fire going good. We even used up our lighter and had to walk across the street to the nearest gas station. Some simple steps can help you avoid a mishap like we had on our first attempt!

Some safety tips you will want to keep in mind when starting the fire include:

• After lighting the fire, throw the match into the fire.
• Avoid the use of additives like lighter fluid and gasoline that will accelerate the fire.
• When starting the fire, make sure there is at least a 15 ft. clear area around the fire.
• Pay attention to the wind direction. Wind can cause sparks to fly. Make sure there are no flammable items nearby.
• Be careful about what items you are putting in the fire/using to start the fire. Do not throw trash, aerosols, or pressurized containers in the fire.
• Do not throw rocks into the fire. If the rock has water in it, the heat can cause it to rapidly expand and expload.

While the Fire Is Going

While the fire is burning, you will want to be extra cautious, especially when young children are around. Set boundaries for getting close to the fire and make sure everyone understands them. Ensure young children are supervised and within arm’s reach at all times while around the fire.

• No running, pushing, or playing near the fire. This can lead to unintended contact with the fire and result in burns.
• Don’t try to pull anything out of the fire.
• Don’t try to “push” anything back into the fire that falls off to the side.
• Use a long stick or poker to move logs in the fire. Do not reach your hand into the fire.
• Don’t throw trash or other dangerous items into the fire.
• Do not sit or stand on the fire ring/rocks around the fire. These can become hot very quickly, touching them can result in burns.
• Never leave the fire unattended.
• Make sure any hot roasting sticks or utensils are kept out of reach of young children. They may be curious and grab on to them, which can result in a burn.
• If you have any lighter fluid with you, make sure it is out of reach of young children (although we recommend avoiding additives like this).

Putting the Fire Out

Putting the fire out correctly is an essential part of safely enjoying a fire while exploring the outdoors. Failing to do it correctly can result in the fire restarting and potentially leading to a wild fire. The best method is to use the drown, stir, and feel method:

• Pour water over all embers and coals, ensuring they are all soaked.
• Use a shovel to mix the water with ashes and embers. Add more water if needed.
• Use the back of your hand to feel for heat. If you still feel heat, repeat the process until it is cold. If there is still heat there is a possibility it will reignite.

Tips for Fire Safety At Home

While we focus mainly on outdoor safety topics at The Navigating Mom, we do feel that it is important to teach your kids what to do if they encounter a fire at home. Here are some quick tips for teaching your children how to prevent a house fire and what to do if one occurs:

• Teach your children to never play with matches or lighters
• Test smoke detectors in your home every month to ensure they are in good working order.
• Teach your kids what a smoke detector alarm means and that they should get out of the house immediately.
• Have an escape plan and meeting place outside the house, and make sure the entire family knows what it is.
• Teach your kids that If their clothes are on fire, they should drop to the floor and roll until the fire is out. Do not run, this will make the fire burn faster.
• Teach your kids that if they are in a fire, get as low to the ground as possible and find an escape. Getting lower to the ground will make breathing easier.
• Use your hand to test if a door knob is hot before opening it. If it is hot, try to find an alternate way out.

Frequently Asked Questions

***This content is provided for educational purposes only. Outdoor activities and fire use involve risks, and conditions vary. The Navigating Mom is not responsible for injuries, accidents, or damages. Parents and guardians are responsible for supervising children and following all local laws and fire regulations.***

**The Navigating Mom (and this post) may contain affiliate links. If you purchase from one of these links, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.****